Like a good dark brew (of either coffee or beer), this portion of the book of Hebrews delivers the kind of “kick in the pants” that is always appreciated when the pressures and temptations of this life have got us feeling like compromise is the only option. This was the situation of Jewish (i.e. Hebrew) Christians living in the first century – the original audience of the letter. Scholars believe it to have been written sometime in the early to mid-sixties—the same time as the Neronic persecution. Per the edict of Caesar, all those claiming to be Christian w/in the Roman empire were open game to be tortured or killed. As a result, great temptation was placed upon the covenant community to temporarily turn away from the Faith – or least hide their Faith, until things got better. For the Jewish Christians, that meant going back to their former religion (Judaism). In their minds, this was both an acceptable alternative to Christianity and an accessible safe-haven from the raging Roman storm. The author of Hebrews however knew that such compromise was not only eternally dangerous, but largely due to wrong perspective. In other words, how these Jewish Christians were interpreting their Faith and current situation was very different from the view or vantage point of God. It is here then that the author expects us to feel the jolt back to reality. If you are beginning to feel like the Christian life is too hard, or that the preservation of God’s people will (at times) require a little “letting off the gas”, now is the time to take a sip of the following dark-brewed truths:

1. Countless saints have run the Christian race with faithful endurance until the end (1).

The overwhelming evidence (“so great cloud of witnesses”) proves we can do it (“run with endurance the race set before us”) if we

put away ghetto thinking[1] (“lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely”) (Deu 30:11).

2. Jesus is the One Who establishes the standard/definition of faithful endurance expected of us (2-4).

Contrary to the ignorant opinions of so many claiming to be Christians today, Jesus did not come to earth to run w/faithful endurance so that we would not have to (or might use Him as our excuse as to why God should let us into heaven). Instead, the author of Hebrews reveals Him to be our example. IOW: we are to be continually “looking to Jesus” (or His life) as the definition of such faithfulness – and more importantly, what God is expecting of us if we are to be identified as those winning our Christian race. In this respect, the author focuses on 4 specific attributes in relation to Jesus’ life. And given his audience’s precarious situation along w/their fragile (i.e. wimpy) constitution when faced with temptation or testing, it becomes easy to see why the author selected them (11:36, 12:12). These verses therefore also function as a sort of diagnostic tool for determining the “tensile strength” of our Christian Faith when under the pressures of temptation or testing. So (then) with Jesus as our example, here is what God expects from us. Here is what must be true of our Christian race and running:

2.1. You will have guts for glory (2).

Like Jesus, you will be willing to carry your cross (i.e. die to self and selfish desires) b/c you believe that the “joy set before” you far outweighs what you wb giving up. No one said the Christian life was easy – only worth it.

2.2. You will have no stomach for shameful things.

Like Jesus, you also despise or treat as incredibly dirty, utterly despicable, extremely distasteful, totally disgusting, completely disgraceful, very dishonoring or disrespectful all those things God – and the world we currently live in, views as shameful.

2.3. Closing take-aways (for sub-pts 1 and 2) (DISCUSSED)

2.4. You will not care what the ignorant/unbelieving think or how they treat you.

Like a good dark brew (of either coffee or beer), this portion of the book of Hebrews delivers the kind of “kick in the pants” that is always appreciated when the pressures and temptations of this life have got us feeling like compromise is the only option. This was the situation of Jewish (i.e. Hebrew) Christians living in the first century – the original audience of the letter. Scholars believe it to have been written sometime in the early to mid-sixties—the same time as the Neronic persecution. Per the edict of Caesar, all those claiming to be Christian w/in the Roman empire were open game to be tortured or killed. As a result, great temptation was placed upon the covenant community to temporarily turn away from the Faith – or least hide their Faith, until things got better. For the Jewish Christians, that meant going back to their former religion (Judaism). In their minds, this was both an acceptable alternative to Christianity and an accessible safe-haven from the raging Roman storm. The author of Hebrews however knew that such compromise was not only eternally dangerous, but largely due to wrong perspective. In other words, how these Jewish Christians were interpreting their Faith and current situation was very different from the view or vantage point of God. It is here then that the author expects us to feel the jolt back to reality. If you are beginning to feel like the Christian life is too hard, or that the preservation of God’s people will (at times) require a little “letting off the gas”, now is the time to take a sip of the following dark-brewed truths:

1. Countless saints have run the Christian race with faithful endurance until the end (1).

The overwhelming evidence (“so great cloud of witnesses”) proves we can do it (“run with endurance the race set before us”) if we put away ghetto thinking[1] (“lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely”) (Deu 30:9).

2. Jesus is the One Who establishes the standard/definition of faithful endurance that we are to be aspiring to.

Knowing that we as Christians can do what God expects, is comforting yet hardly sufficient unless we also know where to look  – or what to look for, when attempting to determine whether or not we have been successful. This is especially important given the tendency to makes such things dependent on each other or the situation (i.e. our assessments are based on comparing ourselves to each other or how hard we think things to be) According to the author Hebrews however, it is to Jesus and Jesus alone we are look to find our answer.

(2) “looking to Jesus” = This (then) is what we must also do if we are to win the Christian race. We are not to be assessing ourselves according to each other, the situation we are in – or even the standards of the culture, but rather according to the standard (or definition) established by Jesus. We are to be constantly/continually deferring to Jesus since He is “the founder and perfecter of our faith” = The latter term (“perfecter”) refers to Jesus’ atoning/justifying work at the cross that has brought to completion (or perfection) God’s plan of salvation by replacing the perpetual sacrifice of lambs/bulls which could not ultimately remove sin, with the once for all sacrifice of Himself (Heb 10:1-18). This understanding helps us to see that the phrase “our faith” should be translated “our faithfulness” (i.e. Jesus is the “perfecter of our faithfulness”) given that this too was brought to completion at His death. In other words, what God’s people are maintaining through their faithfulness is no longer simply theoretical (i.e. a declaration of justification that doesn’t yet exist since the blood of bulls cannot produce it), but real (i.e. we are declared just b/c we have been truly made just through the blood of Christ)[2]. It is for this reason that the author (of Hebrews) says what he does in (11...

(Heb 12:1-17)

Like a good dark brew (of either coffee or beer), this portion of the book of Hebrews delivers the kind of “kick in the pants” that is always appreciated when the pressures and temptations of this life have got us feeling like compromise is the only option. This was the situation of Jewish (i.e. Hebrew) Christians living in the first century – the original audience of the letter. Scholars believe it to have been written sometime in the early to mid-sixties—the same time as the Neronic persecution. Per the edict of Caesar, all those claiming to be Christian w/in the Roman empire were open game to be tortured or killed. As a result, great temptation was placed upon the covenant community to temporarily turn away from the Faith – or least hide their Faith, until things got better. For the Jewish Christians, that meant going back to their former religion (Judaism). In their minds, this was both an acceptable alternative to Christianity and an accessible safe-haven from the raging Roman storm. The author of Hebrews, however knew that such compromise was not only eternally dangerous, but largely due to wrong perspective. In other words, how these Jewish Christians were interpreting their Faith and current situation was very different from the view or vantage point of God. It is here then that the author expects us to feel the jolt back to reality. If you are beginning to feel like the Christian life is too hard, or that the preservation of God’s people will (at times) require a little “letting off the gas”, now is the time to take a sip of the following dark-brewed truths:

1. Countless saints have run the Christian race with faithful endurance until the end.

(1) = The “witnesses” he is referring to are those in the prior chapter (sometimes called “The Hall Of Faith”). It contains a list of those saints who stayed the course of faithfulness during their lives – i.e. who finished their spiritual races as winners. This BTW, the Apostle Paul says, is our only option in this life (i.e. we must run to win – 1Co 9:24). It is also how he finished the course of his life (2Ti 4:7-8). Regarding those the writer of Hebrews is referring to, there were more than a few who finished this way. We are instead “surrounded by so great a cloud”. IOW: Countless others have done (successfully) what God is now requiring of us today. (11:32) = More conquering saints than can be addressed. And the kinds of things they conquered were no small feat (11:33-38). Yet through all of it, they remained faithful to God. It is w/this in mind (then), that the writer of Hebrews can say “let us run w/endurance the race that is set before us.” = Like the countless others who have gone before, we (too) have the ability to stay the course of faithfulness during our lives, we (too) have the ability to persevere and conquer – even the worst of adversity or temptation, that may come against us and our Christian Faith. For those receiving this letter, that meant enduring what was already taking place – i.e. the tortures/persecution under Nero. For us (today), the worse we will likely ever face (in respect to our Christian Faith), will be a far cry from anything close to what they faced (e.g. loss of family/friendships). Regardless of what it is (or how severe), the writer of Hebrews (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) is telling us, we can do it, we can “run with endurance”, we can run to win. If they did it —so can we. We too can become those the “world is not worthy of” – i.e. people w/o a price; who are better than anything this wicked world and our flesh could offer us  – or threaten us w/,  to pull us away from being faithful to God. This was the attitude of Christ – and as already discussed, what God is requiring/expecting of us today (2-4) (Mat 4:8-9 w/1Jo 2:15-17; Consider also: Phi 4:13; 2Ti 1:7; 2Pe 1:3).

That being said, success in anything requires more than simple potent...

(Malachi 2:10-16)

According to the Bible, Christian Marriage…

1. Is a covenant[1] that is binding (i.e. establishing certain obligations) and bi-lateral (i.e. both parties must maintain faithfulness to the covenant obligations to continue receiving the blessings gained when the covenant was ratified).

(2:10-16) = Jewish men were being unfaithful (11, 14, 16 – “faithless”) to the wives they acquired through covenant marriage (14 – “Wife by covenant”; see also Pro 2:17; Jer 31:31-32) by not fulfilling their obligations to love/care for them but instead seek to be released from them (“For the man who does not love/hates his wife but divorces her”). As a result, they were no longer receiving the blessings associated w/their marriages (13 – “He/God no longer regards the offering or it accepts it with favor from your hand”). IOW: The blessings of the marriage were dependent upon faithful fulfillment of their covenant obligations![2]

2. Affords us w/more than simply the blessings experienced through our special union w/one another (e.g. sexual intimacy, synergy, etc). Our marriages become a vital conduit to receiving God’s favor and granting our requests.

(13) = the burnt offering made for the purpose of atonement and entreating God’s favor. Again, God would not accept b/c of their mistreatment of their wives (14) (Zec 7:1-14; Mat 26:26-28 w/Exo 24:3-8 w/1Co 11:17-32 w/1Pe 3:7).

3. Requires that both the man and woman be Christians – especially if expecting to produce children w/the best chance of following God.

(10) “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? = Are we not all children of the same covenant family? IOW: Our parents understood their duty to only marry other Jews/Christians (Deu 7:1-3; 2Co 6:14-18). “Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers” = This duty was not being followed by this generation of Jews. Rather the covenantal purity preserved by their ancestors was being destroyed. (11-12) = Malachi’s generation were marrying pagans (“Judah…has married the daughter of a foreign god.”). As a result, these Jewish men were not only defiling their bodies (“Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord which He loves” – 1Co 6:15-20) but also bringing a curse on their children (“May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant of the man who does this”). Marrying w/in the covenant community (i.e. other Christians), therefore is also important to producing children who will remain Christians throughout their life. (15) = Marriages consisting of two faithful covenant members brings the added blessing of children w/good spiritual genetics (i.e. “Godly offspring”, i.e. Exo 20:5-6). Thebest chance then we have of producing children who will persevere in following God is when both parents are Christians. Though the children in spiritually split homes receive God’s special provision to enter the covenant (1Co 7:14), they also run a greater risk of being led astray due to the contribution (inwardly and outwardly) of the unbelieving parent. Another reason God prohibits such marriages (Deu 7:4).

4. Possesses two very important phase: betrothal and consummation:

4.1. Betrothal = The place where Christian marriage officially begins. It means that the man and the woman have each agreed to the terms of the covenant and (where applicable), received approval from their parents/covenant community (e.g. Gen 24:49-52, 57; also contra Exo 22:16). This is also the time when the man gives – and the woman receives, the betrothal present or “bride-price” (e.g. payment to the parents, and some form of wealth/jewelry to the daughter) as the visible sign of both covenant ratification and their official status as husband and wife (Gen 24:53, 34:12; Eze 16:8-12). (14) “wife by covenant” = This phrase refers to a wife in the betrothal stage on...

In 1932, during his first inaugural address, Franklin D. Roosevelt made the following statement, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Little did he know how those words would change the world’s view in generations to come. It was however, just that monumental of a statement; a paradigm shift of epic proportions. For maybe the first time in modern history, fear itself was on trial. It was the thing to be demonized and ultimately avoided. Fear was the new enemy – including fear of God. Today, this position has become the new gospel in many/most American churches w/devastating results. It therefore behooves any covenant community still desiring to be faithful to the true God of heaven and earth, to explore afresh this subject – not from the place of modern prejudice, but biblical precedent.

1. What is fear? Though fear can manifest itself in the emotions/feelings, they exist only as symptoms or the result of fear’s true identity, which is as a principle of belief: Fear is the belief that undesirable consequences are associated w/someone/something. As such, to the degree (that) we believe that association w/someone/something can (or will) have undesirable consequences for us or others, we will be more careful and less reckless as it relates to that person/thing. Likewise, to the degree we do NOT believe that association w/someone/something can (or will) have undesirable consequences for us or others, we will be less careful and more reckless as it relates to that person/thing. We will also feel less afraid and bolder when dealing with that person/thing (e.g. texting while driving, taking drugs, getting drunk, eating at Casa Bonita) (Psa 10:3-4, 10-11, 14:1, 36:1-4: Notice, these passages speak of fear – or lack thereof, only from the perspective of thoughts or belief – not emotion. Notice also, it is such thoughts/beliefs that determine action. In these cases, b/c there in no fear, there is boldness to do sin).

2. What is fear of God? Consistent w/the biblical definition (above) fearing God means believing that there are (very) undesirable consequences associated w/Him. IOW: For those who act as His enemies by disobeying Him/doing evil and refuse to repent/serve justice, God threatens to do them great harm (Deu 7:9-10, 28:15-68 w/29:18-20; Psa 7:11-16; Isa 13:11-16; Rom 1:18; Gal 6:7-10; Heb 10:26-31, 12:15-17 w/18-29 w/13:8; fearing God as the means to avoiding wrath – Deu 6:10-11, 7:10, 28:58-68).

3. The consequences associated w/God become even more disturbing (i.e. fear-inducing) once we realize that:

3.1. God is both omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent (i.e. He knows everything, is everywhere and able to carry out whatever He decides to do – Psa 33:13-15, 135:6, 139:1-12)

3.2. God is perfectly trustworthy and just (i.e. He always does what He says and No-one can convince Him to negate seeing that sin is punished– No-one escapes serving justice – Num 23:19; Isa 59:18; Job 8:3-6; Psa 9:7).

3.3. God’s temporal punishment is only the beginning for those who continue to rebel against Him. He has created a place where He will give full vent to His anger against such people, tormenting them forever, through the searing pain of unquenchable fire (Rev 21:8).

4. For these reasons (then) the Bible commands us to fear God (over 50 times).

5. As should be expected, the rebellious of this world, do not like this view of God – neither do many who claim to be Christians. A God who acts in this way, or demands that human-beings fear Him under the threat of such terrible consequences is (to their “modern mind”) a monster. As such, Psychology (i.e. Satan’s most influential false religion in the modern world) and its adherents (including most of Evangelical Christianity) actively oppose fear and fearing God. We should instead, be doing our best to remove the fears of others (especially in re: to God). Hence the push against God or any authority figure making threats,

A critique of: “The Role of Women in Ministry As Described in Holy Scripture (Adopted by the General Presbytery in session August 9-11, 2010)“.

9. Consistent with His stated intention of upholding the Law (17-20), Jesus reveals that the customary understanding of six biblical injunctions is inadequate or false and seeks to correct them: [9.1…5.] = Injunctions 1 thru 5 (21-42) DISCUSSED

9.6. Righteous love must be extended to all people (including our enemies).

9.6.1. Injunction #6: (43) “You have heard that it was said” = (As discussed), this phrase represents the beginning of an ancient rabbinic formula used to signal that the customary/current view (regarding a particular law/injunction) was about to be challenged as false or deficient. In this case, the injunction under question is “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” = Both parts of this injunction are found in the Scripture. The first part (“love your neighbor”), is a direct quote from (Lev 19:18). It is (according to Jesus), one of the greatest commandments and the summation of the entire Law (Mat 22:37). The second part (“hate your enemies”), though not as direct or explicit a command, is (nonetheless) both preceptive and popular among the teachings of the OT – especially among the wisdom literature (e.g. Psa 26:5, 31:6, 101:3, 119:113, 139:21-22). Understood within their separate contexts, neither stands in the way of the other nor creates a moral distinction in the way we treat others – whether friend or foe. Not only that, but both are possible with the same individual (i.e. my enemy). I can both love him while at the same hating him. This however was not the current/customary view popular in Jesus’ day.

By ripping each command (love your neighbor/hate your enemy) out of their original contexts and connecting them in close proximity with the word “and” (as we find it here in verse 43), a juxtaposition between the two words (love and hate) emerges. As such. so does the moral obligation I possess to a person depending on who they are (friend or foe). IOW: The moral obligation I have to my friends (or neighbor) is the opposite of (i.e. juxtaposed to) that of my enemy. The former I must be righteous/just with, the latter requires no such treatment. I can (instead) return evil for evil. This erroneous distinction – along with its necessary correction are further elucidated by Jesus in the verses that follow.

9.6.2. Jesus’ response: (44a) “But I say to you” = (As discussed), this phrase was also key to identifying the conversation as part of the ancient rabbinic formula of challenge/correction (“You have heard it said” followed by “But I say to you”). More importantly however, it signaled that the one speaking was doing so from a place of divine authority. Not in the sense – that they themselves were divine (though in this case that would also be true), but rather by proxy. In other words, that the authority on which such corrections were being made was the Word of God itself. As such, they came with the purpose of restoring (not destroying) the Law. This (then) was also the purpose of Jesus – restoring the Law to its original intent or ideal design (consistent w/Mat 5:17-20).

9.6.3. His corrective (and restorative) instruction: (44b) “Love your enemies” = Treat your enemies (i.e. the “unjust” – 45) righteously/justly/fairly and seek that they be righteous/just/fair in their living (i.e. Love your enemies w/a righteous love). As such, we are prohibited from ever being wicked/evil/dishonest/unrighteous/unjust/unfair w/any person or desire that they would remain that way – no matter how unjust/unrighteous they are (incl. our worst enemy; Rom 12:17; 1Pe 3:9; As it re: to never desiring that they wb evil – see Pro 24:17-18).

That this is what Jesus means by this phrase is clear when one considers:

9.6.3.1. The commands of love are fulfilled through doing the Law[1].

(Mat 22:36-37; Rom 13:8-10; 1Jo 5:1-2; Lev 19:18[2]) = Dealing w/others according to God’s law – the sta...